Posted on 12/06/2005 4:00:58 PM PST by sionnsar
(AgapePress) - A conservative Anglican theologian is denouncing the Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts, Bishop Thomas Shaw, for presiding over a so-called "nuptial mass" for a homosexual couple immediately after their "wedding." Shaw recently celebrated the Eucharist, the Episcopal rite of Holy Communion, at the same-sex wedding of two men who, reportedly, had their first date in a monastery.
According to Anglican insider David Virtue, Bishop Shaw is "a leading contender to replace Frank Griswold as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church." But Anglican theologian Dr. Kendall Harmon says the Massachusetts church leader has chosen to ignore a document addressing the crisis in the worldwide Anglican Communion, the "Windsor Report," which calls on the Episcopal Church to stop blessing same-sex unions.
"The Bishop of Massachusetts, by doing this, is again showing tremendous disrespect for the rest of the Anglican Communion, who have been pleading for restraint on the part of the Episcopal Church," Harmon says. "It's just another example of the Western arrogance that is underneath so much of the Episcopal Church's actions, and they're making a bad situation much worse."
The conservative theologian is condemning Bishop Shaw for his involvement in the recent same-sex marriage ceremony and the subsequent "nuptial mass." Harmon says he was disturbed recently, while reading the wedding announcements section of the New York Times newspaper, to learn that the two homosexual men met in a monastery and that Bishop Shaw has approved their relationship.
However, that was not all that disturbed Dr. Harmon in the Times account. "The second thing it said was that one of the two involved in this relationship is a candidate for the ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church," he says. "And the third thing, which is the most frustrating, was that this civil ceremony concluded with the Eucharist, and the person who presided at the service of Holy Communion at this clearly very high flying, high society gathering was the Bishop of Massachusetts."
The Rev. Dr. Kendall Harmon is Canon Theologian of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina and has emerged as one of North America's leading voices of orthodox Anglicanism, upholding the traditional teaching of Christian Holy Scripture.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
Hate to be him on Judgement day.
Yes, especially if YOU turn out to be God!
Your reaction is about what I would expect from Mass. Make no mistake, he will be Judged by God and won't come out a winner.
And your response is exactly what I would expect from a self-righteous Southern Pharisee.
Since you know the mind of God beyond any doubt, can you tell us exactly when the world will end?
Any help you can give with the Mass. Lottery numbers would be appreciated too.
Now, let me genuflect and back out of Your August Presence.
Thou hast said it.
Oh and speaking of enlightened, it's YOU'RE, not YOUR.
When YOU'RE trying to showcase YOUR superior knowledge of God's final dispositions of another's soul, the least YOU'RE supposed to do is get YOUR contractions right.
Obviously you just want to argue. Anyone who bothers to read the bible can learn much about God.
My, aren't we full of prissy venom!
I certainly didn't expect someone on FR to defend what was done. I guess you learn something new everyday.
I feel sorry for the true followerers of the Church but this is what happens when you let the fox in the hen house. I hope other Churches learn from the destruction of the ECUSA.
Easy, Princess, your fangs are showing!
A Northeast liberal!?!?!
I know Episcopalians approach Confession with their famous "all may, some do, none must" template, but if you were Roman Catholics, such rash judgment would get you three Hail Marys.
I never ever EVER said I agreed with what was done.
I just reacted to the DIVINE AUTHORITY in the poster's voice!
A little presumptuous, I thought, especially coming from a Church where binding/loosing takes place by majority vote at three year intervals.
And where every bishop is, apparently, his (or HER!) own Pope!
I think you posted to the wrong person.
BTW I'm Baptist where the lines of right and wrong are not blurred. Sin is sin is sin no matter how many people choose to participate in it.
What kind of Baptist?
We have at least 10 different Baptist churches within about 10 miles of here, and each preacher has a different take on any number of moral issues.
No unanimity amongst the Baptist brethren in THESE parts, that's for sure.
You would think someone who took the time and effort to find out how all the pastors in your area regard sinful behavior would have been a bit curious to actually find out what God says.
I'm done talking with you. I really don't know what you are saying. You picked at me for stating the man will be judged for his immoral leadership in his Church and then picked at other Churches for what you consider their (lesser) faults.
Your just wanting to be contrary and I can't make heads or tails of what you stand for other than not making a judgement against the man who is leading his Church away from God.
*sigh*
It's YOU'RE, not YOUR!
Why can't you people who claim to know exactly what God thinks about everything and everyone get YOUR contractions right?
You can paint all Episcopalians with one broad brush, but that would be your mistake.
It appeared you were defending the revisionist in the ECUSA. If you were not, I apologize, if you were, then prior comments apply.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.